Course Comparison

Course
MSc Physician Associate Studies MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Nursing and Midwifery Professions)
Award
Master of Science - MSc Master of Science - MSc
Duration
2 years 3 years
Assessment breakdown
- -
Course type
Full-time Part-time
Placement
(with placements) -
Location
Plymouth Plymouth
Provider
Peninsula Medical School School of Nursing and Midwifery
Entry requirements
A recognised first degree (2:1 or above) in a life science, biomedical science, or healthcare subject (from the list below); or current healthcare professionals educated to honours degree level (2:1 or above). To be accompanied by a minimum period of 2 weeks consecutive clinical setting exposure. Relevant ‘on course’ placement experience would count towards this exposure target. Alternatively, experience of working in a setting with customer contact, and 10 days clinical attachment experience in a hospital or general practice setting would also be considered.
A recognised first degree (2:2 or above) in a life science, biomedical science, or healthcare subject (from the list below); or current healthcare professionals educated to honours degree level (2:2 or above). To be accompanied by a minimum period of 12 consecutive months clinical setting exposure. Relevant 'on course' placement experience could count towards this exposure target. If the award is >5years old then we would expect evidence of recent academic study or completion of an academic qualifying essay.
Courses and professions considered include:
  • Chiropractic Studies
  • Dietetics and Nutrition
  • Optometry
  • Osteopathy
  • Paramedic Medicine
  • Podiatry
  • Physiotherapy.
  • Anatomy
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Human Biosciences
  • Combined or Integrated Science
  • Diagnostic Imaging, Diagnostic Radiography, Radiography
  • Genetics
  • Medical Science
  • Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science
  • Physiology
  • Psychology
  • Nursing
  • Midwifery
Applications from non-standard applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the programme team. If you wish to be considered for admission, and have a significant level of healthcare experience, but do not fulfil the criteria above, please contact the admissions team to discuss this further. 
If your first language is not English you will be required to provide evidence of competence in English language:
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. 
Part-time students
You will normally have a first degree (BSc (Hons) at 2:2 or above or European first cycle equivalent plus a professional qualification in health or social care). You will be assessed individually for your ability to study at this level and therefore an interview may be necessary. 
If you do not have a first degree at 2:2 or above (or the European first equivalent) but have appropriate practice-related experience relevant to the programme you may still be eligible to apply. In these cases, you would also be required to submit a short piece of writing as part of the admissions process.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice – IELTS of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each category.
You will also need to be working in an environment that will enable you to meet the programme learning outcomes and have a clinical mentor in practice in undertaking a clinical module. 
Full-time/international students
The entry requirements for full-time or international students who wish to enrol on this programme are generally the same as those for part-time students (please see above).
To enable you to meet the programme learning outcomes you will be supported to choose modules with non-clinical assignments.
AP(E)L:
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS):
This programme is equivalent to 90 ECTS credits (second cycle) with 30 ECTS credits at postgraduate certificate, 60 credits at postgraduate diploma and 90 credits at masters degree. Each 20 credit module has the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits and assumes a notional student effort of between 200-300 hours.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.